Why Are Fringing Reefs More Vulnerable to Land-Based Pollution Than Other Reefs?

💡 The Answer

• Their close proximity to shore means runoff from agriculture, deforestation, and urban areas directly flows onto fringing reefs.
• Sediments smother coral polyps and block sunlight needed for photosynthesis by symbiotic algae.
• Excess nutrients from fertilizers cause algal blooms that overgrow and kill coral.
• Toxic chemicals such as pesticides and heavy metals can accumulate in reef organisms, disrupting reproduction and growth.